Fall-Apart Caramelized Cabbage

bon appétit side dinner vegetable cabbage tomato coriander cumin yogurt vegetarian wheat/gluten-free soy free peanut free tree nut free healthy cast iron braise winter

Andy Baraghani

4 servings

Source

Ingredients

¼ cup double-concentrated tomato paste

3 garlic cloves, finely grated

1½ tsp. ground coriander

1½ tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1 medium head of savoy or green cabbage (about 2 lb.)

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Kosher salt

3 Tbsp. cilantro or parsley leaves

Plain whole-milk Greek yogurt or sour cream (for serving)

Coarsely cracked black pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix tomato paste, garlic, coriander, cumin, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.

Cut cabbage in half through core. Cut each half into 4 wedges. Heat ¼ cup oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Working in batches if needed, arrange cabbage in pan, cut side down, and season with salt. Cook until cut sides are lightly charred, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer cabbage to a plate.

Pour remaining ¼ cup oil into same skillet. Add spiced tomato paste, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until beginning to split and darkened slightly, about 3 minutes. Pour in water to come halfway up sides of pan (about 1½ cups), season with salt, and bring to a simmer. Nestle cabbage wedges back into skillet (they should have shrunk while browning; a bit of overlap is okay). Transfer skillet to oven and bake cabbage, turning halfway through, until liquid is mostly evaporated and cabbage is deeply browned around the edges and very tender, 40–50 minutes.

To serve, scatter cilantro over cabbage; top with yogurt and pepper.